Online motorcycle parts and gear shop

Riders who maintain or customise their own bikes, and those who need gear and accessories delivered to their door.

Margin on each item sold. Some items are bought from wholesalers and held in stock; others are sent from the supplier on your behalf.

• Knowledge of bikes and riding gear
• Online selling and product listings
• Packing and posting orders
• Customer service and handling returns

• Online sales rules: customers usually have cancellation and return rights, so check the Consumer Contracts Regulations
• Helmets and protective gear should meet current approved standards, so check what applies before selling
• Counterfeit or poor quality parts from unknown suppliers can lead to safety claims and refunds
• Product liability and public liability insurance, plus insurance for stock stored at home
• Check whether you need permission from your landlord, mortgage lender or council to store stock and post parcels from home
• Small margins: postage and returns can eat into profit, and VAT registration is compulsory above the threshold

Startup costs are typically around £500 to £4,000, depending on your stock, website and any marketplace fees. These are estimates, and starting with one niche, such as a single model or riding style, can keep costs down.

Check the Consumer Contracts Regulations for cancellation and return rights, and which approved standards apply to helmets and protective gear. Also check product liability and public liability insurance, home stock storage permissions, and VAT registration above the threshold.

Monthly revenue is typically around £500 to £3,000, depending on your niche, range and how many orders you ship. Margins can be small, as postage and returns can eat into profit.